Global private investment house Ardian agreed to acquire a majority stake in Swiss pharmaceutical company Sintetica SA Pharmaceuticals.

Sintetica's current stockholders will reinvest in the company and retain a minority stake.

Sintetica, which specializes in the research, manufacturing and marketing of anesthetics, analgesics, adrenergic agonists and other sterile injectable solutions, will pursue global expansion through the new partnership with Ardian.

Separately, an investor group including Ardian and Horizon Capital is selling British food and drink retailer EAT Ltd. to food shop operator Pret A Manger (Europe) Ltd.

Pret A Manger said in a release that it intends to convert most of EAT's shops to Veggie Prets to meet the rising consumer demand for more High Street vegetarian and vegan options.